Uploaded January 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 minutes ago
Introducing 'Chaos Sparks' - A New Episode Style on 'Living on the Edge of Chaos'
Welcome to a fresh and exciting new experiment in my podcast journey I am calling 'Chaos Sparks'. In these shorter format episodes, I am switching gears from my usual structure where I bring in incredible thought provokers and instead will bring you short, solo segments where I explore the chaotic ideas that swirl in my head that I am challenging myself to bring out into the world more. All of these nerdy, intriguing ideas and reflections, I plan to share in episdoes that are under 10 minutes. If ideas blossom into bigger conversations, then perhaps that will drive new guests to expand on the ideas for the regular episodes I have created for a long time.
'Chaos Sparks' are designed to be quick bursts of inspiration and insight, perfect for those moments when you need a little food for thought but are pressed for time. And selfishly to help me offload my thinking from reading books, articles, communities, etc. These episodes are my personal take on various topics, ranging from breakthroughs in innovation and education to reflections on influential books, like Brant Menswar's 'Black Sheep'(this first experimental episode), and spontaneous nerd blasts about comics, video games, health, and whatever else I am inspired by my everyday experiences.
'Chaos Sparks' are designed for me to offer concise(yeah right, but a goal of mine), thought-provoking(I can do this :)) content that extends your curiosity and encourages you to think differently by you know......Living On The Edge Of Chaos(could not resist). Whether you're on a quick coffee break, a brief commute, or just seeking a moment of intellectual stimulation, these episodes are crafted to fit seamlessly into your busy schedule.
So, here is the first 'Chaos Sparks' episodes – a few little nuggets of chaos to enlighten, challenge, and energize your day based on this book I just read, Black Sheep by Brant Menswar
amazon.com/Black-Sheep-Extraordinary-Awe-Inspiring-Undiscovered/dp/1989603440
LISTEN NOW:
Podcast Page coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts
No matter how you listen to your podcasts I should be there.
Click this link here to follow and subscribe kite.link/living-on-the-edge-of-chaos
Overview:
In this episode, I explore what it means to be different. "Black Sheep" challenges the long-held notion that standing out is a flaw. Instead, it embraces the idea that our uniqueness is our greatest strength. This book is more than just a read; it's a guide to embracing our true selves. It has me scratching my head about how to proceed with my own thinking of self....in a good way.
I briefly discuss the power of reflection, learning from our past to set the stage for our future. Menswar's work emphasizes the importance of understanding our core values – the 'what' over the 'why.' These values are the foundation of our authentic selves and guide every decision and action we take.
The journey through "Black Sheep" is a call to intentional living. It's about choosing our purpose based on what we value most, not just stumbling upon it. By embracing vulnerability and honesty with ourselves, we unlock the essence of who we truly are.
I hope this serves as a reminder for myself and you that real change requires effort. It's about committing to growth and aligning our actions with our deepest values. This episode encourages us to not just be different, but to be authentically and unapologetically ourselves.
Join me in this journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Let's embrace our inner black sheep, live authentically, and inspire change in ourselves and those around us.
And let me know what you think. Have you read the book? What questions do you have? Let me know on all the socials.
Introducing 'Chaos Sparks' - A New Episode Style on 'Living on the Edge of Chaos'
Welcome to a fresh and exciting new experiment in my podcast journey I am calling 'Chaos Sparks'. In these shorter format episodes, I am switching gears from my usual structure where I bring in incredible thought provokers and instead will bring you short, solo segments where I explore the chaotic ideas that swirl in my head that I am challenging myself to bring out into the world more. All of these nerdy, intriguing ideas and reflections, I plan to share in episdoes that are under 10 minutes. If ideas blossom into bigger conversations, then perhaps that will drive new guests to expand on the ideas for the regular episodes I have created for a long time.
'Chaos Sparks' are designed to be quick bursts of inspiration and insight, perfect for those moments when you need a little food for thought but are pressed for time. And selfishly to help me offload my thinking from reading books, articles, communities, etc. These episodes are my personal take on various topics, ranging from breakthroughs in innovation and education to reflections on influential books, like Brant Menswar's 'Black Sheep'(this first experimental episode), and spontaneous nerd blasts about comics, video games, health, and whatever else I am inspired by my everyday experiences.
'Chaos Sparks' are designed for me to offer concise(yeah right, but a goal of mine), thought-provoking(I can do this :)) content that extends your curiosity and encourages you to think differently by you know......Living On The Edge Of Chaos(could not resist). Whether you're on a quick coffee break, a brief commute, or just seeking a moment of intellectual stimulation, these episodes are crafted to fit seamlessly into your busy schedule.
So, here is the first 'Chaos Sparks' episodes – a few little nuggets of chaos to enlighten, challenge, and energize your day based on this book I just read, Black Sheep by Brant Menswar
amazon.com/Black-Sheep-Extraordinary-Awe-Inspiring-Undiscovered/dp/1989603440
LISTEN NOW:
Podcast Page coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts
No matter how you listen to your podcasts I should be there.
Click this link here to follow and subscribe kite.link/living-on-the-edge-of-chaos
Overview:
In this episode, I explore what it means to be different. "Black Sheep" challenges the long-held notion that standing out is a flaw. Instead, it embraces the idea that our uniqueness is our greatest strength. This book is more than just a read; it's a guide to embracing our true selves. It has me scratching my head about how to proceed with my own thinking of self....in a good way.
I briefly discuss the power of reflection, learning from our past to set the stage for our future. Menswar's work emphasizes the importance of understanding our core values – the 'what' over the 'why.' These values are the foundation of our authentic selves and guide every decision and action we take.
The journey through "Black Sheep" is a call to intentional living. It's about choosing our purpose based on what we value most, not just stumbling upon it. By embracing vulnerability and honesty with ourselves, we unlock the essence of who we truly are.
I hope this serves as a reminder for myself and you that real change requires effort. It's about committing to growth and aligning our actions with our deepest values. This episode encourages us to not just be different, but to be authentically and unapologetically ourselves.
Join me in this journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Let's embrace our inner black sheep, live authentically, and inspire change in ourselves and those around us.
And let me know what you think. Have you read the book? What questions do you have? Let me know on all the socials.
![220: Finding Flow Through Curiosity: A Conversation with The Curiosity Experiment’s Clare Inkster
In this episode, I sit down with Clare Inkseter, who is founder of the The Curiosity Experiment, to explore how curiosity can become a daily practice that transforms learning, leadership, and life. Clare shares how her journey from corporate researcher to curiosity scholar revealed that curiosity isn’t a luxury, it’s a mindset we can train, nurture, and design for. Together, we discuss the tension between curiosity and efficiency, what it means to build “Wonder Wednesdays” into the workplace, and how curiosity can help us navigate technology, AI, and change with greater presence and humanity.
According to her LinkedIn bio Clare has been doing some incredible things the last two decades working at the intersection of insight, innovation, psychology, and purpose—leading Horizon 3 projects, running global research, and designing programmes that unlock human potential. Along the way, she has become an MSc-qualified positive psychology practitioner, yoga teacher, and coach.
Access the Show
All platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/
Direct Link to This Episode: https://coffeechug.simplecast.com/episodes/220
Listen & Subscribe:
[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast]
Episode Highlights
Clare shares how a career in behavioral and neuroscience research led her to question whether her work truly served the world and how that moment of disconnection sparked a master’s in Applied Positive Psychology and a deep dive into curiosity interventions.
She explains the science behind curiosity and well-being like how curiosity broadens perspective, strengthens creativity, and helps us find meaning and purpose.
Clare describes creating “Curiosity Thursdays”, unpaid days dedicated to exploration and learning and how intentional time for curiosity fuels new thinking.
The conversation explores balancing curiosity with productivity: scheduling curiosity intentionally, matching brain energy to task type, and building rhythms like “Wonder Wednesday” meetings to re-ignite collective wonder.
Clare unpacks top-down vs. bottom-up curiosity and purposeful learning versus open, unstructured noticing and why both are essential for creativity and growth.
She discusses the intersection of curiosity and AI, including how awareness and questioning keep our brains engaged rather than passive.
Clare introduces her Curiosity Sprints that are two-week experiments inspired by Agile thinking designed to make learning iterative, joyful, and evidence-based.
We reflect on how curiosity can help redefine success, shift from “achievement” to “enjoyment,” and re-learn the lost art of being bored.
Featured Quotes
On the necessity of intention
“I had to intentionally carve out that time, because otherwise something more important would always be there. There has to be an aspect of intentionality around curiosity in the world we live in today.”
On balancing curiosity and efficiency
“I’ve given myself permission, and I’ve actively chosen to be curious. Know the importance of it, be purposeful about it—and then schedule it into your day.”
On curiosity and AI
“Curiosity actually amplifies memory. So if we can ignite our curiosity before we go in and ask a question of an AI, we’ll remember more and learn more deeply.”
On slowing down and not being busy
“We are so busy all the time that we don’t really have any hobbies, or we don’t know what our hobbies are anymore. And it’s like, I don’t know how you find that when you’re always busy—you can’t listen, you can’t hear, you can’t find that creativity that’s bubbling up inside you.”
On redefining success
“I stopped asking, ‘What do I need to achieve this week?’ and started asking, ‘How can I make this week as enjoyable as possible?’ It was a shift from achievement to enjoyment—and it changed how I lived each day.”
On curiosity as practice
“When I wanted to make changes in my life, I didn’t know how. I just turned them into two-week sprints and figured it out. It’s empowering—because you’re building confidence in your own ability to learn and grow.”
Resources & Links
Clare Inkster on LinkedIn
The Curiosity Experiment
The Curiosity Experiment on Instagram
Research and studies on amount of questions we ask through the ages
Clare email address clare@thecuriosityexperiment.co.uk.
Global Curiosity Institute website to measure curiosity https://www.globalcuriosityinstitute.com/diagnostics
Your Brain At Work Book
Top Down vs. Botton Up Processing Video or Article
MIT Study: Your Brain on ChatGPT and Clare LinkedIn Post That Inspired My Question
Blog post about sprints
Satya Nadella article on culture of learn-it-alls
Support the Show
If this episode helped you, share it with a colleague and leave a review. It helps more educators and leaders find the show. 220: Finding Flow Through Curiosity: A Conversation with The Curiosity Experiment’s Clare Inkster](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1EaO7VpYwww/mqdefault.jpg)



![222: From Burnout to Better Questions – Jackie Celske on Human-Centered AI Adoption
When AI shows up in our feeds, it’s usually wrapped in hype, fear, or sales pitches, but rarely in honest stories about being human. In this episode, I sit down with Jackie Celske, a professional storyteller who cares about helping brands and businesses stay human in the age of AI and closing gender confidence gaps in AI adoption. She has rebuilt her life after burnout and now helps organizations use AI in ways that actually serve people instead of crushing them. We talk about why so many AI projects fail, how “boring” problems often hold the most transformative potential, what it means to separate who you are from what you do, and why creating safe spaces, especially for women, to experiment with AI matters more than any new feature.
Access the Show
All platforms & past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/
Direct Link to This Episode: https://coffeechug.simplecast.com/episodes/221
Listen & Subscribe:
[Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube] | [Simplecast]
Episode Snapshot
Jackie’s journey from burnout and “doing all the things” to rebuilding life and work around what actually matters
Why 80% of AI projects fail—and what schools and organizations can do differently
The “Disney trash” lesson: stop chasing flashy AI and start with the boring, high-impact problems
Women, confidence, and creating safer spaces to learn and lead with AI
“...our value is in who we are, not in what we do”: using AI to rediscover identity, not erase it
Practical, non-tech-bro ways to play with AI in your daily life (email, trip planning, speaking practice, and more)
Episode Highlights
Jackie’s story of walking away from a job that broke her health and identity and rebuilding life and work from Nashville
Why 2023 felt like a turning point with ChatGPT and how it pulled her from digital marketing into AI adoption and strategy
What “AI adoption” actually means (beyond tools) and why communication, culture, and expectations matter more than features
The harsh reality: most AI projects fail, not because of the tech, but because of people, processes, and misaligned outcomes
The “Disney trash” example: how starting with boring, high-volume, repetitive tasks beats chasing sexy, impossible AI dreams
A compassionate look at why many women hesitate to jump into AI and how community, safety, and “permission to not know” change that
Everyday use cases Jackie loves: practicing presentations with AI video, drafting hard emails, energizing workouts, travel planning, and using voice tools in playful ways
The deeper theme: AI shows us how not-special our tasks are, but it also clarifies how irreplaceable our humanity is
Connect with Jackie Celske
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinecelske/
Website – The Prose Co.: https://www.theproseco.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theproseco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theproseco
Quote
Being human is your superpower
Resources
Rand study 80% AI projects fail
Women are avoiding AI: HBR
Gender Divide
Support the Show
If this conversation helped you pause, reflect, or think differently about AI and learning, please share it with a colleague or friend. Leaving a review or tagging the show helps others discover these important conversations. 222: From Burnout to Better Questions – Jackie Celske on Human-Centered AI Adoption](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2iOebwOttT8/mqdefault.jpg)





